Blade’s General Assembly Endorsements compared to 2006
There are valid reasons why the Blade would make some of the decisions they made in their editorial board to hand out their endorsements, at times they share some of their reasoning. Yet, in reading their endorsements, one part struck me as a bit odd considering what happened in 2006. In 2006, some of the same type of negative advertising done in District 46 not by the candidate/incumbent but by the Republican House Caucus, and the then incumbent/candidate Mark Wagoner basically said the same thing that Sears has said, that she can’t control what ads they put out. The main difference in 2006 to 2008 is that Dunn has gotten more support from the Democratic Party than Mark Dansack did.
It’s because it was felt that Sears was an easier target, let’s be honest, Mark Wagoner for a variety of reasons, is well liked in both District 46 and now in the Ohio Senate. That said, blaming Sears for:
Ms. Sears’ unconscionable campaign tactics and failure to ‘fess up to them are not what voters in District 46 deserve in Columbus.
Then when endorsing Wagoner for District 46 in 2006 and not even mentioning any of the really negative campaigning where people were barraged with negative mailings and ads against Mark Dansack, strikes me as a bit disingenuous. Why did one get a pass and one not? Either all’s fair in love and politics or it’s not, either one candidate can not control what other groups put out there or they all can.
Who got the Blade endorsements in 2008 and who got them in 2006? 2006 is in (parenthesis):
District 46:
Darlene Dunn – Democrat (Mark Wagoner – Republican)
District 48:
Edna Brown – Democrat (Edna Brown – Democrat)
District 49:
Matt Szollosi – Democrat (Blade says either man Steve Hornyak – Republican or Matt Szollosi)
This week the Blade closes with:
To reiterate, we believe that personal integrity, effectiveness as lawmakers, and the chance to build on foundations that have already been laid are the most important factors in this year’s legislative races. Therefore, our endorsements go to Darlene Dunn in District 46, Edna Brown in District 48, Matt Szollosi in District 49, and Mark Wagoner in Senate District 2.
Two years ago:
To reiterate, Toledo and area voters have an uncommonly good cache of legislative candidates to choose from on Nov. 7. We have long advocated contested races for all political offices, and it’s encouraging to see both parties’ efforts pay off.
Our endorsements go to Mark Wagoner in District 46; Peter Ujvagi in District 47; Edna Brown in District 48; Matt Szollosi in District 49, and Bob Latta in District 6.
I think that Mark Wagoner would get elected with or without the Blade’s endorsement, and the Blade recognizes this fact. He’s too strong a candidate to be pushed around and that puts the Blade in the rare position of having to make nice with a powerful and honest Republican.
You are absolutely right, Barb is an easier target and the Blade will take on any oppostion candidate regardless of whether or not it makes them seem disingenuous. Many of their readers aren’t paying close enough attention to notice the hypocracy.
The fact is that there will be a lot of legislation coming out of the next session in Columbus that will affect health insurance concerns for all Ohioans. Barb has been a health insurance agent in NW Ohio for many years and understands the industry. Too many times laws are passed that negatively affect one industry or another, and these laws are written by legislators who don’t fully understand the details of the legislation they propose and how it would impact businesses and citizens. Barb’s perspective is an absolutely necessity if we want to avoid the all-to-common unintended consequences than comes from poorly written legislation.
October 26th, 2008 at 12:31 pmI no longer see a difference between The Blade’s editorial board and the front page. The editorial page and front page are the same BS. Look at the stories they publish. They are pushing an agenda and use the paper to keep that agenda in your face. And people buy this crap. Just dump the paper – quit buying it. Also, everyone knows Szollosi is just a union hack. Look what he did with legislation he sponsored when it came to Judge Cubbon. Remember her tires. Get rid of these people.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pmTo look at the Blade’s lack of logic when it comes to making endorsements, I go back to 2004 when the races were as follows (incumbent listed first):
9th: Kaptur (D) v. Kaczala (R)
5th: Gilmore (R) v. Weirauch (D)
4th: Oxley (R) v. Konop (D)
In 2004, The Blade endorsed Weirauch and Konop saying that Gilmore and Oxley had been in DC too long, and a fresh perspective was needed.
Then they turned around and endorsed Kaptur saying our region needed her experience.
Huh?
I haven’t seen an endorsement this year for the 4th, but they finally have a new face in the 5th (Latta) and the Blade thinks he should go already.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pmDidn’t the new LCRP Chairman say something like how refreshing it will be for the republican party to have a good relationship with the blade and how helpful that will be for our candidates? Looks like it is working! Good job stain, keep up the awesome job, I know the dems are counting on you!
October 26th, 2008 at 10:55 pmVoice of Reason – #1 In your quote, “powerful and honest Republican”, you only have it half right. Or maybe not at all. A powerful legislator would use his influence to address Ohio’s school funding dilemma. To date, the District 2 incumbent has not.
I would consider Colin Powell to be the embodiment of a “powerful and honest Republican”, not so much for Mr. Wagoner.
As for Lisa’s original point, it is spot on. But it is also water under the bridge. It appears there were no “profiles in courage” on the Blade’s editorial board in 2006, and it does seem that Barbara Sears is an easier target (less known, less than effective campaigner). I guess in 2006 voters in District 46 deserved ” unconscionable campaign tactics and failure to ‘fess up to them”. What a difference two years makes!
At any rate, the point is no less valid in 2008 than it was in 2006. It’s a shame that the Blade does not appear to have enough reporters to fully cover a general election, only skirting the surface of most of the races.
October 27th, 2008 at 1:01 pmDeeDee, they did the fourth and fifth yesterday.
They don’t endorse Latta or Mays, though they are more negative towards Latta than Mays and comment on Weirauch not running. and they endorse Kaptur.
Mark, I realize that it’s water under the bridge, but I also think if we don’t continue to focus on the selectivity that’s being demonstrated then we have even less accountability.
On the school funding issue, as has been previously pointed out, there are quite a few of our local elected officials Democrat and Republican alike who have not led on that issue. Hopefully once this election is over, the excuses can end and the work can finally begin.
October 27th, 2008 at 1:57 pm